The Thirsty Pilgrim Print

Our evocative vintage print, titled "The Thirsty Pilgrim," is a high-quality reproduction of a hand-colored lithograph originally produced in the mid-19th century. This Rococo-style lithograph folio comes from The Ornamental Designs of Watteau, a compilation of decorative motifs drawn from the works of Antoine Watteau and later lithographed by W. Nichol. The work was published in Edinburgh by W. Nichol & Adam and Charles Black in 1841. These lithographs were completed by W. Nichol after the art of the French master Jean-Antoine Watteau (1684–1721), serving as a bridge between the elegance of the 18th century and the decorative tastes of the Victorian era.

The composition is centered within a masterful display of rocaille ornamentation, an asymmetrical arrangement of C-scrolls, acanthus leaves, and shell motifs that define the Rococo style. The central vignette depicts a romanticized pastoral encounter: a traveler receiving a libation from a seated lady beside a stylized fountain. The fountain itself, anchored by a grotesque mascaron spilling water into a scalloped basin, highlights the blending of mythological and rustic themes typical of the fête galante genre. 

While this specific item is a vintage print, its origins are firmly rooted in the historical 1841 edition through several bibliographic fingerprints preserved in the design. Centered at the bottom, the publisher's imprint credits W. Nichol, Adam & Charles Black of Edinburgh, and Ackermann & Co. of London. Furthermore, the artist credits are clearly visible: the lower-left corner bears the attribution "Watteau pinxt," identifying Jean-Antoine Watteau as the original painter, while the lower-right credits "W. Nichol lithog." identifying the specialist who translated the painting into the lithographic medium.

The presence of the plate number "29" in the upper-right corner corresponds exactly to the sequence in the 1841 bound volume, a numbering unique to this specific collection. The original 1841 plates were produced using steel-plate lithography followed by manual watercolor tinting. By maintaining these details, this vintage print captures the distinct hand-finished look of the early Victorian period, making it a sophisticated addition to any collection of ornamental art.

Sourced in Portsmouth, NH.

Dimensions: 24.5''H, 19.5''W with frame. 16.25''H, 11.25''W print.